The Reference Section, located on the fifth floor of the Broward County Main Library, provides resources and services to assist entrepreneurs who are starting a new business or expanding an existing business.Print and electronic resources related to small business as well as free, one-on-one counseling services and a variety of seminars on business-related topics are available.

Print Sources – Books, Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers

Print resources include numerous current books on many topics including the following:

Advertising and marketing a product or service

Analyzing an industry

Buying an existing business

Demographics

Franchise opportunities

Getting started in small business

Legal, tax, and insurance aspects of starting a small business,

Managing a business

Obtaining financing

Starting specific types of small businesses

Writing business plans

While the books on the fifth floor are for reference use only, circulating copies of many of the titles can be found on the fourth floor of the Main Library.

Note:Books on starting new businesses are available at most branches of the Broward County Library and are generally classified in the 658.022 Dewey Decimal area of the library.

Periodicals such as The South Florida Business Journal and theBroward Daily Business Revieware available on the third floor of the Main Library in the Magazines and Newspapers Section.

How to Start a Business in FloridaStarting and Operating a Business in FloridaSmall Business SourcebookSmall Business Start-Up Guides from Entrepreneur Magazine and Lewis and Renn

Company Directories

American Wholesalers and Distributors DirectoryBrands and Their Companies/Companies and Their BrandsDirectory of Corporate AffiliationsDun's Regional Business DirectoryDirectory of Florida IndustriesFlorida Business DirectoryFlorida Manufacturers Register

Company Rankings

Fortune 500South Florida Business Journal Book of ListsWard's Business Directory (SIC volume)

Catalog of Federal Domestic AssistanceFree Help from Uncle Sam to Start Your Own BusinessFlorida Venture Capital DirectoryPratt's Guide to Private Equity SourcesSBIC Directory and Handbook of Small Business Finance

Doing Business in...(PricewaterhouseCoopers series)Importing into the United StatesInternational Trade ReporterInternational Trade Statistics Yearbook (United Nations)Official Export GuideReference Book for World Traders

Legal Materials

Municipal and County Codes of Ordinances

Florida StatutesFlorida Administrative Code

United States CodeCode of Federal Regulations

Licensing

Florida Administrative Code

Site Locations

Sourcebook of Zip Code DemographicsShopping Center Directory

Statistics

Broward-By-the-Numbers

Florida Statistical AbstractStatistical Reference Index (SRI)

Guide to U.S. Government StatisticsStatistical Abstract of the United StatesAmerican Statistical Index (ASI)

The following databases also provide information of interest to entrepreneurs.

Business and Company Resource Center (website) provides company profiles as well as access to full-text articles on a wide variety of business-related subjects from business journals throughout the country.

Reference USA (website) provides directory information on approximately 14 million companies throughout the United States and allows customized searches by name of company, type of company, geographic area, size of company, and other special parameters.

Counseling Services

Free one-on-one counseling services are available, by appointment, from the Broward Service Corps of Retired Executives (Broward SCORE) and the Florida Small Business Development Center in Broward.To make appointments, visit the either of the following web pages:Broward SCORE (website)or Small Business Development Center in Broward (website).

Seminars

In addition, seminars on many special business topics and issues are presented twice a month by members of the Florida Women’s Business Center (website).Topics include “1, 2, 3s of Starting a Business”,“Skills to Operate a Profitable Business”,“Accelerating Your Sales Performance”, “How to Market Your Business on the Internet”, “Alternative to Corporate Jobs – Recession-resistant Franchises”, and “Business Law”.

Links to Websites on Small Business Start-up and Expansion

Additional information on small business start-up may be found on the following websites:

ipl2:Information You Can Trust - websiteThis is a searchable and annotated subject directory of internet resources that provide accurate, factual information on many topics.Select “Business’ and then Entrepreneurship”, “Small Business”, or “Women in Business”. You may also type a keyword in the search box.

Biz Office:Small and Home-Based Business Resources - websiteThis site provides links to websites in such categories as opportunities, financing, marketing, services, franchises, news, and multi-level marketing.Articles are also included.

Business USA - websiteThis one-stop electronic link to the information and services available from dozens of federal government organizations that assist or regulate business includes information on business development, financial assistance, taxes, laws and regulations, and international trade.This site is maintained and funded the United States Small Business Administration.

Entrepreneur - websiteThe Small Business Answer Desk, available on this site, has frequently-asked questions about management, marketing and advertising, human resources, e-business, sales, and franchise opportunities.

Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations - websiteThis site provides information on starting a business in Florida.It includes information on business registrations, selecting locations, industry reports, business, taxes, international trade, and corporate filings.

Florida Small Business Development Center in Broward - websiteThis site provides a wealth of information about all aspects of starting and expanding small businesses.Topics covered include financing, marketing, international trade, selling to the government, intellectual property, taxes, etc. Information about the mission of the Florida SBDC and the seminars and workshops offered is also included. Use this site to register for free, one-on-one counseling sessions by certified business analysts.

Florida Women’s Business Center (FWBC) -websiteA list of free business seminars provided by this organization, many of which are presented at the Broward County Main Library, in included on the FWBC website.

IRS – Small Business and Self-Employed One Stop Resource - websitePart of the IRS website, this web page provides information on a wide variety of business tax topics, including topics for small business.

NAWBO- National Association of Women Business Owners - websiteNAWBO is a professional association representing the interests of women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses.Information about membership, conferences, and publications is included on this website.

SBA:Small Business Administration - websiteThe SBA provides a wealth of information to entrepreneurs needing help starting, financing, or expanding a business. SBA programs and services are described, and local SBA resources are included.Information on disaster assistance is also provided.

SBA:South Florida District Office - websiteThis site provides a start-up kit, a training calendar, financing information, laws and regulations, and local resources for entrepreneurs starting businesses in South Florida.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - websiteThis site provides guidance on small business start-up.It includes information on business opportunities, including home-based businesses.SCORE workshop locations are included.

SCORE – Broward/Fort Lauderdale - websiteThe site of the local chapter of SCORE lists seminars, publications, articles, and websites. Go to this site to register for one-on-one counseling sessions that are held at the Broward County Main Library or other locations.

SUNBIZ:Florida Division of Corporations Online Database - websiteSunbiz provides information on forming a corporation in the State of Florida.Online forms and information on filing fees are included.The site allows online searching for names of corporations, trademarks, and fictitious names.It also provides access to articles of incorporation, annual reports, and other documents on file.

Links to Websites on Business Plans

SBA:Small Business Administration - websiteThe SBA website includes a section on writing business plans which includes a free online workshop on the subject.

Community Resources

The following agencies handle requests for basic information and referrals, and provide education and information services.